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Trade Ministry condemns unlawful trading with tourists by islanders near resorts by Ahmed Hamdhoon Haveeru 23 June 2003 translated by Maldives Culture editors Happy tourist shoppers in Maldives Photo: maldivianunderground.com The Maldives Trade ministry has given notice that in islands near resorts, people are selling goods to tourists unlawfully. Director of trade licencing, Usman Shakir, said the ministry has received reports that people have set up street stalls with folding benches and similar furniture, and are selling imported souvenir items. 'Such people have been fined,' Shakir said. 'People can sell imported goods only after obtaining a permit from the appropriate section at the Ministry.' According to Shakir, illegal trading was most common about two years ago. 'We received numerous complaints about such trading during that time. In some islands, the matter had been settled by the Island Office.' At the recent Atoll Chiefs' conference in Malé, the Trade ministry also raised concerns about people selling other items in the islands, such things as fuel and cement, without a permit. top

Maldives Culture is an independent internet magazine of Maldivian cultural issues.
Editors and translators: Michael O'Shea and Fareesha Abdulla, Australia
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